Gillian and Jenny are Transgender friends talking about the process of transition and living their best lives. Gillian is new into the transition process and Jenny has been transitioned for many years and acts as a type of mentor, sharing experiences and thoughts about the trans community and useful specific subjects.

Their conversations are wide ranging and they hope to help others on the same path.

This week:

Jenny and Gillian meet regularly to discuss the various aspects of transition, including social, medical, and legal transitions. They also talk about their personal journeys and preferences in terms of transitioning.

The conversation shifts to politics and free speech on university campuses. Jenny expresses her belief that while free speech is important, there should be accountability for hate speech towards marginalised communities such as the transgender community.

They debate whether controversial figures like Posey Parker should be given a platform, with Jenny arguing that some comments constitute hate speech that denies trans people's existence. Gillian believes in free speech but notes the importance of having informed conversations on both sides of an argument. They also discuss the conflation of practicality issues (like bathroom use) with questions about validity, which Jenny sees as a way to marginalise trans people. Both acknowledge the personal nature of these debates for trans individuals and express optimism for finding constructive ways forward, citing disability rights activism as an example.

They then discuss the history of trans representation in media, noting that growing up, they only saw negative portrayals of trans individuals. They mention specific examples such as Dick Emery's drag performances and movies where trans characters were portrayed as either objects of ridicule or disgust. However, they note that there has been progress in recent years with more positive representations and even casting of trans actors. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with discovering one's own identity and early exposure to media featuring trans individuals.

They also discuss the evolution of language and representation in media for trans people. They talk about the importance of seeing oneself represented, but also acknowledge pushback against progress. The conversation veers into broader social changes over time, including women's rights and politics. They end on a lighthearted note, discussing their next topic for discussion: healthcare and the legal side of being transgender.

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